Are Dog Vaccinations Safe?

Any foreign substance
introduced to your dog’s body carries a risk of an allergic
reaction,
but most dogs respond well, at
least initially, to dog vaccinations as
long as you use an appropriate dog vaccination schedule... IF your dog is currently healthy. Weak or unhealthy
animals may actually become sick from the vaccines
themselves.

The 10 second speed talker’s disclaimer at the end of a dog
vaccine
commercial would go something like this:

Which
Dog Vaccinations are Most Common?

The right vaccinations for your dog depend on their age, breed, diet, exercise, surroundings and interactions with wild and domestic animals.

There are two types of vaccines: Core and Non-Core. Core vaccines are administered to most pets in a certain area, while non-core vaccines vary based on each dog’s situation. Work with your vet to determine what’s best.

Following are the most common Core vaccines along with brief information about the disease they attempt to prevent (along with which may be required by law):

Holistic vets also argue that
there is no guarantee that vaccines will work and that their
effectiveness relies on several factors such as health, diet and
overall lifestyle.

They suggest establishing a solid foundation of health through proper diet, exercise and overall lifestyle and addressing problems as they
arise by adjusting these foundations and implementing one of many natural dog treatment options as appropriate.

If you do decide to vaccinate your dog, holistic veterinarians generally recommend the following:

Use single vaccines instead of complex
vaccines. To avoid the hassle, discomfort and cost of several injections, it is common practice to combine vaccinations into a single shot such as DHLP-P (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus). Holistic vets
recommend administering each vaccine one at a time. Single
vaccines may or may not be available in your area, so reach out to a holistic
veterinarian if necessary.

Only use “inactivated” or “killed” vaccines
instead of “modified live.” They are usually safer since they
are certain not to grow inside your dog’s body.

If you own a puppy, use a reduced vaccination
schedule (see schedules further down the page). Immunized puppies may be good
to go for several years or even their entire lives.

Do not vaccinate before 16 weeks of age.

Avoid annual boosters. While this is
a common practice, there is no scientific evidence that it is
necessary. And don’t be surprised if your conventional vet
disagrees – reach out to a holistic vet for verification as this is the
latest official veterinarian opinion from the experts in the field of
veterinary immunology.

Below we have some great veterinarian-approved dog vaccination schedule
guidelines for you to follow if you choose to take that route, but you
should always consult with your vet first as each dog’s needs can be
different.

What
is the Best Dog Vaccination Schedule?

There are several variations of a good dog vaccination schedule, and your holistic veterinarian will be best suited to make the determination for your dog. Some vaccines work for life and others last less than a year.

To give you an idea about how veterinarian-recommended dog vaccination schedules can differ, the chart below reviews what a typical holistic and conventional vet are likely to recommend along with what an integrated approach might look like.

Combination vaccine
Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where
leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where dog Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where
it occurs.
Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after
15 weeks of age.

32 Weeks

Rabies

Adult

Combination vaccine
Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where
leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where Lyme disease in dogs is a concern or if traveling to an area where
it occurs. Rabies*: Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between
vaccinations may vary according to local law).

Note:
Holistic veterinarians feel that the dog rabies
vaccine can have negative
effects on your dog, but unfortunately they are often required by
law. If so, it is best to administer the rabies vaccine last.
You should follow local law for the rabies vaccine requirements (ask
a local vet). State law often requires that the
vaccine be administered at 16 weeks.

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Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

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Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

In the spirit of full
disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this
website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words,
when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we
often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep
the site up and running and to continue offering it completely free of
charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and
advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or
affiliate relationship. Click
here for more info.